Round table discussions

Transportation systems need robust physical security to protect human life, to ensure economic stability, and to maintain national security. Because transportation involves moving large numbers of people and critical goods across vast, often interconnected infrastructure, it presents a highly attractive target for various threats. More threats equate to a greater need for security. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the emerging applications of physical security in the transportation...

Installing physical security systems requires integrating diverse technologies (e.g., cameras, access control, alarms) that often use different protocols and must be adapted to a building's unique physical layout and legacy infrastructure.  Specialised technical expertise is required for seamless networking and proper configuration. Hopefully, no important factors are overlooked in the installation process. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the most overlooked factor when inst...

The healthcare industry faces unique and significant security challenges. Healthcare security professionals must balance an open, welcoming environment for patients and visitors with the need to protect valuable assets and personnel in a high-stress, 24/7 setting. These requirements direct the physical security technologies deployed in medical facilities. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the unique aspects of the healthcare market, and how should the physical security industry ad...

Emphasising proactive rather than reactive security shifts the focus from dealing with crises and damage control to prevention. Advantages of a proactive approach include cost efficiency, better business continuity, and fewer crises that draw attention away from strategic improvements. Staying ahead of threats is a core mission of the security department, and technology has evolved to enable security professionals to deliver on that mission better than ever. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable:...

The cloud fundamentally changes how organisations acquire and use technology, offering a powerful mix of financial, operational, and strategic advantages that traditional on-premises infrastructure cannot match. Specific to physical security systems, there are additional advantages transforming how technologies and systems are delivered to customers. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: Which factors are driving the deployment of cloud-based systems in physical security?

Data overload is real. Sometimes it seems we are bombarded by the sheer volume, velocity, and variety of data available in our personal lives, and in our work lives. The solution is to figure out how to make sense of the data and transform it into real information we can use. In the case of physical security systems, new opportunities are emerging every day to utilise data to make our businesses safer and better managed. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the expanding role of...

Students deserve a safe and positive environment where they can learn and thrive. Teachers and administrators should be able to focus on their primary role of educating students because they feel supported and protected by a comprehensive security plan. Staff require a clear protocol for responding to emergencies. And parents deserve peace of mind that their children are safe during the school day. One of the tools for safer schools is physical security technology. We asked our Expert Panel Roun...

Physical security and cybersecurity are deeply intertwined in today’s systems. A weakness in one realm can quickly lead to a breach in the other, and vice versa. However, given the symbiotic relationship, why do physical security systems so often fall short when it comes to cybersecurity protection? We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: Why does cybersecurity continue to be a weak link for physical security systems?

Ethics can impact a company's reputation, profitability, and overall sustainability. Ethics extend beyond the law to encompass doing the "right thing" even when it is not legally mandated. As technologies such as artificial intelligence and data sharing continue to impact the physical security industry, a focus on ethics today is timelier than ever. A commitment to moral principles is critical to build a successful, sustainable, and respected industry. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What...

A system's lifecycle is the journey it takes from planning and design through to decommissioning. Considering the entire lifecycle of a system can encourage integrators and end users to embrace higher-quality technologies with an eye toward maximising their value over time rather than focusing on lower-priced equipment. For additional insights, we asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How does consideration of system lifecycles impact the choice of physical security technologies?

The Internet of Things (IoT) is having a profound impact on businesses across various industries, including security. In physical security as in other business environments, the IoT is changing how systems operate, interact, and create value. In the process, the IoT is driving efficiency, reducing costs, and opening up new avenues for innovation and growth. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How is the Internet of Things (IoT) transforming how security systems are deployed?

Future-proofing your skillset is about embracing continuous learning and developing a versatile set of competencies that remain valuable regardless of technological shifts or industry changes. In the security marketplace, it is not about predicting the exact jobs of the future, but rather equipping yourself to adapt and thrive in the uncertain security landscape. But where to begin? The emerging technology shifts in the security industry provide clues, such as the growing importance of cybersecu...

Access control, video surveillance, and intrusion detection systems evolved largely independently in the physical security industry. Integrating those systems to the benefit of an enterprise's overall security has traditionally fallen on security integrators working in cooperation with manufacturers. However, today's market has also evolved to include companies that provide "unified platforms,” bringing together various disparate security systems and functions under a single, centralised...

In the past, security installers and integrators were used almost exclusively to install hardware. However, the role is changing and expanding along with the technologies used in the physical security industry. Nowadays, an installer or systems integrator is much more likely to use a strategic, IT-centric, and data-driven approach. To gain additional insights, we asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How is the role of the security installer/integrator changing?

The role of audio in physical security is multifaceted and increasingly vital, offering a layer of intelligence and interaction that access control and/or video surveillance alone cannot provide. Sounds provide crucial context to visual events. For instance, someone running might appear suspicious on video, but audio could reveal they are shouting for help, changing the interpretation entirely. Even so, historically speaking, audio has been an underused component in physical security. How is the...

In the physical security marketplace, artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved beyond the novelty phase. The emphasis has now shifted to the more practical aspects of implementing AI technology. That a system implements AI is no longer impressive in and of itself. The question becomes: What can this AI system do for me? How can it improve my physical security stance? We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How is artificial intelligence (AI) transforming physical security?

In many cases, architectural design and layout dictate optimal placement of security devices like cameras, access control readers, and sensors. Poor design can lead to blind spots, reduced coverage, and ineffective surveillance. However, planning that involves all the various stakeholders can maximise both security and design elements. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: When are building design and physical security systems complementary? When are they at odds?

Physical security technologies are a prominent tool used by correctional facilities to provide a safe, secure, and controlled environment for staff, inmates, and the wider community. Among several functions, security technologies are used to prevent unauthorised access, to detect contraband, to monitor inmate movements and activities, and to protect staff. For security technology manufacturers, integrators and consultants, the corrections market presents distinctive challenges. We asked our Expe...

As cutting-edge trends go, convergence has been around for at least two decades. The meaning has shifted over the years, and if anything, the idea of convergence has gotten even more aspirational. Unfortunately, the widespread use of the term has also paradoxically undermined its meaning and power. However, today's concept of convergence has matured to provide new levels of benefit for security professionals. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How has the meaning of “convergence”...

If recent physical security events are a guide, the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) will be everywhere at the upcoming ISC West 2025 exhibition in Las Vegas. Cybersecurity solutions are another core focus at today's physical security events, and ISC West will likely follow the trend. Attendees will also be looking for advancements in access control systems, including biometric technologies and integrated security platforms, among other hot topics. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What...

Technology innovations and an evolving threat landscape will be core factors impacting the physical security market in 2025. Technology elements such as artificial intelligence (AI), multi-factor access control, and mobile devices will continue to drive growth in the greater industry. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the outlook for the physical security industry in the year ahead?

2024 was a year of significant challenges and remarkable progress in a world that is more interconnected than ever. Global collaboration continues to point the way toward continuing progress in multiple industries, including physical security. In 2024, technology continued to transform the way we connect and cooperate, driven by new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How did the security marketplace “change for the better...

New technology advancements significantly increase efficiency and productivity in any industry, including physical security. Enhanced innovation both creates new products and services and improves existing products, all for the benefit of security manufacturers, integrators, and end users. Companies that embrace new technology stay ahead of the curve and gain a significant competitive advantage. In addition, they can differentiate themselves in the marketplace. We asked this week's Expert Panel...

2025 is likely to see further advancements in artificial intelligence, with potential impacts on various aspects of society, including the security industry. The new year will also require security professionals to adapt to changing market conditions and develop contingency plans for unforeseen events. Industry changes will accelerate and challenge everyone in the security market to keep up. Making specific predictions for the new year can be a struggle, but we asked our Expert Panel Roundtable:...

Trust is the foundation of successful relationships between buyers and sellers in the security marketplace. Trust facilitates collaboration, reduces risk, improves decision-making, and ultimately drives business growth and profitability. Transactions often involve significant investments, and trust minimises the perceived risk for buyers, making them more likely to commit to a purchase. Our Expert Panellists weigh in on the subject of trust in response to this week’s Roundtable: A security...

The security marketplace has its share of buzzwords, which are words or phrases that become popular and widely used in a specific industry. Buzzwords can be useful for conveying complex ideas quickly, but they can also be misused or misunderstood. Within a specific industry, such as security, buzzwords can create a sense of shared understanding and belonging. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What new buzzword have you heard, and what does it mean for the security industry?

By all accounts, technology development is moving at a rapid pace in today's markets, including the physical security industry. However, market uptake of the newest technologies may lag, whether because of a lack of clear communication or not enough education of potential customers. We asked this week's Expert Panel Roundtable: How can the industry do a better job of promoting emerging technologies in physical security environments?

Technology automates tasks, streamlines processes, and improves efficiency in various fields, including physical security. But the success of today’s latest technologies depends on our ability to use them responsibly and efficiently. Optimising our industry’s use of technology requires that the industry’s workforce have the needed skills to operate the latest equipment. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How does technology innovation in security systems impact...

Port forwarding is a networking technique that allows incoming traffic on a specific port number to be redirected to a particular device or application on a local network. Open ports on the network expose an IP video system to the internet. This makes it a potential target for malicious cyberattacks. In the physical security industry, the elimination of port forwarding is seen as a basic and manageable precaution to shore up cybersecurity. We asked this week's Expert Panel Roundtable: What are t...

The hospitality industry drives economic growth and development by creating jobs, generating revenue, and initiating a ripple effect to improve profitability throughout the supply chain. The hospitality industry includes a vast number of small businesses, including hotels and restaurants. But what are the security challenges of these businesses, and how is the security marketplace serving those needs? We asked this week's Expert Panel Roundtable: How can technology address the security challenge...